Document Type : New and original researches in the field of Microbiology.
Authors
1
Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; Basic Medical Sciences Department, College of Medicine, Al-Maarefa University, P.O.Box71666, Riyadh 11597, Saudi Arabia
2
Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
3
Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt; Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Saudi Arabia
4
Clinical Pathology Department, Hematology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
5
Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt
6
MBBCH, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
7
Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University
8
Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University
Abstract
Background: One of the most common neuromuscular junction disorders is autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). Cytokines profile is expected to be of most important in MG pathogenesis. Objectives: In this research we aimed to analyze serum cytokines profiles in acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody positive MG patients and determine the link between these cytokines and clinical parameters of MG. Methodology: Forty AChR antibody positive MG patients and 40 healthy participants (HC) were included in this study. Serum cytokines including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-15, IL-17 A, IFN-γ, were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between serum cytokines levels and clinical profile were analyzed. Results: Serum levels of IL-6, IL-15, IL-17 were significantly higher in MG patients than in HC. Serum levels of IL-4 were significantly lower in MG patients than in HC. According to MG Foundation of America (MGFA) classification, generalized MG group (G-MG) had higher levels of IL-6 and IL-17 than HC, without statistical significant variation among oculomotor MG (O-MG) and HC. We also found that early onset MG (EOMG) had significantly higher IL-2 levels compared to late onset MG (LOMG). We also found significant higher IL-17 levels in thymoma associated MG patients (TMAG) than in MG with normal thymus group. Serum levels of IL-6 and IL 17 were positively correlated with AChR antibodies concentration and quantitative MG (QMG) scores in all MG patients. Conclusion: we can conclude that the pathogenic inflammatory effects exerted by cytokines at neuromuscular junctions are important in MG patients.
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